Tours-Savonnières-Villandry-Azay-le-Rideau-Bréhémont

by 365thingsiloveaboutfrance.com on June 24, 2015

With a little extra sleep and a homemade breakfast in our tummies, we headed out for an unhurried day of châteaux-ing. My plan was to spend an easy 39 km in our saddles, stopping wherever our wheels fancied. It took Superman a little time to adjust to this plan, as an American, he likes to set a goal, and go, go, go.

When I suggested we stop a mere 10 km into the ride in the charming village of Savonnières, he was less than enthusiastic. That’s when I decided that our motto of the day (the trip?) would be: “What would the French girls do?” Obviously we stopped…although not for a coffee, and looked around. And so the day unfolded with numerous stops and a slow meander through the stunning gardens of Villandry.

We meandered so slowly, that we almost missed lunch, which set Superman’s heart aflutter and resulted in a surprising stop at l’Etape Gourmande. From then, we were goners, and the day became all about lunch. From lunch it was all downhill to Azay-le-Rideau, an attractive town with a handsome boutique hotel, but disappointingly, the château itself is under extensive renovation. While it looked like this on our first visit years ago: It looks like this today, and will, until 2017. My advice: Château de l’Islette, A-l-R’s little sister, and just 3 km away… We ended our day with a final 20 km ride and picnic on the riverbank of a picturesque hamlet called Bréhémont.

Oh, my goodness, we stopped at the château that inspired Sleeping Beauty’s castle today. You have to bring your daughter (I know she’s 11, but…) Was a great, corny, very French tour, but well worth the €14.

As I was reading this Mrs Sixwheeler was busy cooking my supper; I showed her the pictures and she said “I’m afraid yours isn’t going to be like that my Lovely”. It looks like a wonderful meal but if you carry on lunching like that you’ll go home the size of a barrage balloon! Mine will be good too (in case Mrs S sees this!).

I’m very sure Mrs. Sixwheeler is a fantastic cook. Meanwhile, yes! Even with biking between 45-80 km per day I feel like I’ve gained 3 kilos. So not fair. Tomorrow it’s just fresh apricots and berries, and a handful of almonds…that’s before the gastronomic meal I have us booked into at Fontevrraud-l’Abbaye…I’m gonna have to buy new clothes by the end of the trip!